Organisations

Trade organisations play an important role in the art and antiques market. Their remit may include lobbying, communicating information to members, offering professional development and qualifications, organising events, setting standards and ensuring adherence to them.

Other organisations listed in this section perform different functions such as providing online marketplaces, education or supplying other services to the art and antiques trade.

At a swell party in the heart of Chelsea, with the Taittinger Brut Reserve free-flowing, the BADA Fair's 2019 exhibitors could be forgiven for relaxing after days of stand set-up and moving fragile, valuable objects into place.

As we approach a crunch vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a no-deal result is still a possibility – so too the prospect of an extension to the Article 50 process beyond the March 29 deadline. As the selection of comments and advice from across the trade suggests, the art and antiques sector, like businesses up and down the country, is preparing for every eventuality.

In ATG No 2380 February 23 I wrote a piece on the annual antiques fair held at Wilton House in Wiltshire from Friday to Saturday, March 8-10. It is worth noting that the Provincial Booksellers’ Association (PBFA) is running an antiquarian and out-of-print book fair at the Michael Herbert Hall in the village of Wilton on Sunday, March 10.

Members of the trade federation Conseil National du Marché de l’Art (CNMA) have published an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron and the French government calling for changes to stop France’s art market losing out to the UK after Brexit.

The owner of a handwritten page from Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ has been temporarily prevented from exporting it out of the UK by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Industry trade bodies have launched a survey that will attempt to measure the financial impact of the Ivory Act (2018) which comes into force later this year. Collectors, dealers and auctioneers of antique ivory are being encouraged to take part.

Industry trade bodies are today launching a survey that will attempt to measure the financial impact of the Ivory Act (2018) which comes into force later this year. Collectors, dealers and auctioneers of antique ivory are being encouraged to take part.